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Neuropathic Pain

Are you having chronic tingling, freezing, numbing, or burning sensations? Do you have those out-of-the-blue stabbing pains? You may have what we call neuropathic pain. It’s a treatable condition, and the experts at Ozark Orthopaedics Spine Center can help.

What is neuropathic pain?

Neuropathic pain is a complex condition that occurs when the nervous system is not working correctly.

When you have neuropathic pain, you feel pain from various levels of your nervous system – your peripheral nerves, the brain, and the spinal cord.

This condition can be brought about by:

– Diabetes (very common cause)
– Alcoholism
– HIV infection
– Shingles
– Central nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis
– Spinal nerve compression
– Trauma or surgery resulting to nerve damage
– Use of chemotherapeutic drugs
– Radiation therapy
– Amputation

What are the symptoms of neuropathic pain?

Neuropathic pain can cause a number of symptoms, including:

Spontaneous pain
This pain comes without stimulation. It can be a burning, shooting, stabbing, or electric-like kind of pain.

Evoked pain
A feeling of pain brought on by a normally non-painful stimulus such as gentle brushing against the skin, mild pressure, etc.

Hyperalgesia
This pertains to enhanced sensitivity to pain.

Dysesthesia
This is another “abnormal sensation” wherein you may be feeling a painful burning, prickling, or aching feeling.

Hypoalgesia
This is the opposite of hyperalgesia. With hypoalgesia, there is a decreased sensitivity to painful stimuli.

How is neuropathic pain treated?

Treatment varies, depending on the cause and severity of your condition.

For mild to moderate cases of neuropathic pain, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen may help. Your doctor may prescribe certain drugs if you’re not responding to these OTC meds.

In some cases, neuromodulation may be considered. It’s a form of therapy on which an electrode is attached along your peripheral nerve to help switch off pain signals.

In other cases, surgery may be the best treatment option. This is especially true for neuropathic pain caused by compressed nerves. Our doctors at Ozark Orthopaedics Spine Center can assess you and determine the best treatment option for you. Call us to request an appointment.

Are you ready to find relief for your neuropathic pain and improve your quality of life? You may call us at (479) 521-2752 to request an appointment or click the button below.